Hong Kong Sevens: Fiji take the Cup again
In a repeat of last month's final in Vancouver, Fiji ran in four tries to move within just three points of series leaders South Africa in the overall standings and take their third tournament win of the 2018 world series.
Two yellow cards in the first half for Kenya's Collins Injera and Willy Ambaka allowed the Pacific islanders to take a 17-0 lead at half-time. Despite tries from Kenya's Billy Odhiambo and Oscar Ouma in the second half, Fiji were uncatchable and cemented their reputation in Hong Kong as the team to beat.
"I'd like to thank my boys for the team effort and thank the Kenyan team for a good game," said Fiji captain Jerry Tuwai. "Hong Kong is always special for us, we respect and honour the tradition that Fiji has with the Hong Kong Sevens."
South Africa claimed the bronze medal after beating New Zealand 29-7 and Argentina beat USA 14-12 to secure fifth. The Challenge Trophy winners were France, beating Canada 33-7.
With Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 just over 100 days away, the seedings for the tournament will be confirmed on Wednesday as excitement builds for the competition in San Francisco on July 20-22.
The world series will head to Singapore on April 28/29 after stopping by the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next weekend.
Your #HSBC7s standings after seven rounds. It's tight at the top! pic.twitter.com/4bCemk3KRw
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 8, 2018
Semifinals:
Fiji 26-24 South Africa
Before the two sides took to the field, the experienced Tuwai and South Africa's captain in Hong Kong, Dewald Human, shook hands and embraced. That great moment set the tone for a thrilling semifinal and it was a semifinal of two halves.
The first belonged to the BlitzBoks as Selvyn Davids put a hat-trick of tries on the board to Fiji's sole score from Kalione Nasoko.
After the break, Baber's side closed the 5-19 deficit through Samisoni Viriviri and Nasilasila. Nasilasila then put them 26-19 ahead.
The BlitzBoks weren't finished as Muller Du Plessis powered over with 47 seconds left. The conversion missed the mark and Fiji controlled the ball off the restart to book their place in the Cup Final.
New Zealand 12-21 Kenya
In the second semifinal New Zealand immediately set out their stall through Amanaki Nicole. However, Collins Injera had a response with his 253rd try on the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Both conversions were added and Injera finished the first seven minutes by accelerating in again to give his side a 14-7 advantage.
Kenya's defence created their next try as a turnover near their own line was converted by Willy Ambaka going the length. New Zealand finished the game with the final say, Jona Nareki and Isaac Te Tamaki combined for one of the tries of the day, but the match belonged to Kenya.
Sunday results:
Cup Final:
Fiji 24-12 Kenya
Bronze Final:
South Africa 29-7 New Zealand
Fifth place play-off:
Argentina 14-12 USA
Challenge Trophy Final:
France 33-7 Canada
Thirteenth place play-off:
Samoa 5-33 Wales
Cup semifinals:
New Zealand 12-21 Kenya
Fiji 26-24 South Africa
Fifth place semifinals:
USA 19-15 Scotland
Argentina 14-12 Spain
Challenge Trophy semifinals:
Russia 12-19 Canada
France 24-12 Australia
Thirteenth place semifinals:
Wales 49-5 South Korea
Samoa 33-10 England
Cup quarterfinals:
Kenya 19-12 Scotland
USA 7-35 New Zealand
South Africa 38-5 Spain
Fiji 40-14 Argentina
Challenge Trophy semifinals:
Canada 45-0 South Korea
Wales 7-15 Russia
England 14-17 Australia
Samoa 0-38 France
Saturday results:
Argentina 31-14 France
United States 47-5 Wales
England 47-7 South Korea
South Africa 31-17- Scotland
Australia 14-34 Canada
Kenya 26-0 Spain
New Zealand 19-12 Samoa
Fiji 36-14 Russia
Wales 19-7 France
United States 31-17 Argentina
Scotland 61-7 South Korea
South Africa 33-15 England
Spain 17-12 Canada
Kenya – Australia
Russia – Samoa
Fiji – New Zealand
Friday results:
Argentina 31-10 Wales
United States 24-24 France
England 19-22 Scotland
South Africa 45-0 South Korea
Australia 12-17 Spain
Kenya 33-10 Canada
New Zealand 36-5 Russia
Fiji 31-12 Samoa
